The Colorado Colfax Marathon

The Colorado Colfax Marathon was held on Sunday, May 18 and turned out to be a fantastic day. The race course was new and improved this year and proved much better than the previous two years that the race has been held. With many events surrounding the race, which offers multiple distances; it is a great experience for the kids, the beginners, the wheelchair athletes, and the long time marathon runners.

The expo for the race was held on Friday afternoon and all day Saturday prior to the race on Sunday. There was no packet pickup on race day requiring everyone to attend the expo and retrieve their bib, timing chip, and t-shirt. The expo was held at the City Park in the same tents that were used on race day for the racers bags and post race recovery areas. By the time I made my way to City Park on Saturday after lunch all the t-shirts for the women except the large and extra large and all the t-shirts for the men expect the extra large had been taken. Having registered early for this race, I was disappointed that not only did I not have a t-shirt to take with me, but I was told I would be called when I could pick up my shirt. Are you kidding? I have to drive to pick up my race shirt? My husband was participating in the marathon and while he has to wait for a shirt also, he was told that they would mail him his shirt. I was running one of the 10K legs of the relay marathon and I understand that I didn't pay as much for my entry fees, but I did take the time and effort to pre-register. In my opinion, the shirts should have been held for those who pre-registered, and those that registered at the expo would be the ones required to wait. While I would love to have the race souvenir, after seeing that the shirts were just cotton tees with the logo on the front and the sponsors on the back, I may not be inclined to pick up my shirt depending on where I have to drive, especially with gas prices as high as they are (which is of course a different discussion!).

The race course began in Denver's City Park for the marathon, half marathon, and 5-leg relay teams. With everyone at the start, it was a packed house. A downside being there was little room for a quick pre-start stretch; however, it offered a heart pumping, adrenaline filled kickoff. One marathoner claimed out of the 11 marathons she has participated in it was the strangest marathon start she has experienced. Being new to the race scene, I have to admit it was quite bizarre.

As we were packed in the "holding zone" in front of the start line it felt more like we were cattle being prodded into a pen to get branded. While we were anxious to start, we were squashed into an area probably only six feet wide. The announcer was good at directing everyone to the "holding zone," but offered no instructions as to where the elite athletes were to be lined up versus the slower runners. Minutes before the race began, the announcer gave orders to line up according to our expected pace with the fastest being "in front of the orange cones." From my position I couldn't see the announcer, let alone the orange cones; thus having no idea where I was in relation to these fast runners. At previous marathon events, the pacers help to identify your starting place; un-announced to me, the Colorado Colfax Marathon offered no pacers for the race! Single file, racers were trying to work their way closer to the start; however, with gates on each side of the six foot wide "zone" there was little chance they were going to make it with the start fast approaching!

Suddenly, the announcer called out "30 seconds to the start of the 2008 Post-News Colorado Colfax Marathon!" Trying to orient myself and make sure I didn't step on anyone when it was time to start, I heard the announcer yell "GO." Go, really? I was expecting a countdown, an "on your marks," something; but all of a sudden a loud go started what was to be a brand new race course for this marathon.

Anyone who has participated in a race knows that unless you are at the front, your gun time is sure to be quite different than your race time as it takes a few seconds or even minutes to pass under the start. Finally when I made it to the starting banner I was able to jog with those around me and slowly as the course thinned I could pick up my pace a little. As we were running through City Park, the birds where chipping in the brisk, fresh morning air and the pitter patter of runners echoed all around us. Shortly after the start, the half marathoners veered to the left while the marathoners and 1^st leg relay veered right. The course allowed the halfers to run east on Colfax with the marathoners to run west.

Apparently, Colfax is the longest continuous street in the country being, you guessed it, 26 miles long. The previous course started at one end of Colfax and ran to the other. Can I just say, Blah! Thank goodness the coordinators had enough sense to change the course. Running for 26 miles in a practically straight line could not be fun. This year the marathoners ran just about 13 miles total on Colfax. The other 13 miles was through City Park, downtown Denver, around Sloan's Lake, and through an office park in Lakewood. The halfers ran just over 5 miles down Colfax and just over 5 miles down 17^th which while they are both straight, at least it was a change of scenery!

At the 10K relay exchange, where my portion finished, all the runners were to pass under the 10K banner. Perhaps since this is a brand new race the participants did not know proper race etiquette, but let me just say CHEER, man, CHEER! Regardless of your ability or distance, it is always fun to be cheered into the finish line and for those poor soles that were running the full marathon - MY GOSH, what an accomplishment. They should get cheers from everyone the entire way!! When my husband ran through each relay exchange not only were the participants not cheering or providing any sort of encouragement, but they were apparently consuming the area allowing the full marathoners to squeeze by single file so they could continue to run! While it is nerve racking to make sure you can find your teammate to continue the race, it isn't too much to ask to cheer while all the others are finishing or passing by!

The coordinators of the race did a great job with drinks, volunteers, and medals at each of the 4 relay exchange zones. It was great to hydrate and have kind, helpful volunteers to claim my timing chip and provide directions to the shuttle area. It was also a pleasant surprise to get a medal for being a relay finisher! Overall, they did a fantastic job setting up these exchanges.

The finish line was full of energy as all race courses should be. Music, crowds, and cheerleaders made for a fun atmosphere at the finish line. The course end provided recovery drinks and food and each participant (21 years and older) was offered an ice cold Coors beer to wind down from the race, always much appreciated! There were plenty of shady areas in the park to hang out and relax, and more vendor tents and sponsors to occupy the morning. The day turned out to be sunny and in the mid-80's and was a fantastic end to a wonderful race morning!

The 2008 Post-News Colorado Colfax Marathon was a hit this year. With a few minor adjustments and considerations, it will be a fun event in the coming years to participate in. The course was definitely an improvement and as claimed was prettier (at least in City Park and around Sloan's Lake!). With all the events leading up to race day and the race itself, the coordinators should be applauded for their hard work and for making it a fantastic event for us all!